A Frenchman living in the south of this country writes to the French magazine La Chasseur Francais to denounce the practice of some of his compatriots when they come to Ireland with their guns to satisfy their "passion" to the detriment of the game which has remained wild in this country. Unfortunately, he writes, he has to confirm the excesses of some of these and he is horrified when he sees that dead game is left where it was shot or thrown into the bushes: pigeons and rabbits .. . He says he is not talking of woodcock when he happens to guide groups of hunters on behalf of an Irish organisation - "I love acting as guide to real hunters" - but he doesn't like to see heavy shot used which tears birds to pieces or brings them down headless and which appears to happen when there is no supervision or guidance.
He writes that he has for a decade loved Ireland, where he can follow his "passion" simply and with respect. "I would not like these `clay-pigeon shooters' to tarnish the picture." And that is why he is sounding the alarmbells for hunters who go abroad, and he willingly acts as spokesman for those, especially French, whom he may have the pleasure of helping or guiding. A good sentiment: not all foreign shooting parties which come here are undisciplined killers of anything that moves. And a good guide helps.
By the same post there arrived a new magazine, again French, but not concerned with killing, at first sight anyway: Le Journal de la Nature, which has a delightful article on Killarney. They headline it "A park in Ireland". Unspoiled countryside where you can fill your lungs with oxygen, mountains heather-clad and water everywhere. "We advise you to take a trip to the south-west of the country and more particularly to Kerry, in and around the nature park." Bord Failte couldn't be more persuasive. And the writer enthuses about the woods of oak and yew which often, he says, carry growths of ferns like hanging baskets. He is impressed by the large deer. For birdwatchers and botanists one of the great charms of the country is its freedom. You rarely come across a "No Entry" notice. The local people are welcoming, but remember to close the gate so that the cattle don't stray. There was a competition for a free trip to Ireland, but the journal arrived too late for entry! Y